Shelter fire: Three cats die, dozens rescued

Jan. 25, 2014

A 10-week-old domestic short hair eats a little can food Friday night at Hull Veterinary Hospital Inc., where around 36 cats were taken for examination after a basement fire at S.T.O.P. / Daniel Melograna/News Journal

At least 36 cats were taken to examine at Hull Veterinary Hospital Inc. Friday night after a fire started in the basement of S.T.O.P. / Daniel Melograna/News Journal

At least 36 cats were taken to examine at Hull Veterinary Hospital Inc. Friday night after a fire started in the basement of S.T.O.P. / Daniel Melograna/News Journal

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MANSFIELD — Firefighters, employees, neighbors — even random passers-by — pulled together in frigid temperatures Friday night to rescue close to 50 cats from Stop The Overpopulation of Pets (STOP) cat rescue after a fire ignited in the basement.

By the time crews left the scene, nearly all of the cats had been taken to safety, but three didn’t make it, said Mansfield Fire Department Assistant Chief Mark Sieving.

He said he believes they died of smoke inhalation.

“The whole house smoked out pretty bad,” Sieving said.

Cats were being toted out of the 1152 Lexington Ave. building in crates, blankets, cardboard boxes — anything that would hold them. Neighbors and passers-by offered their cars for storage until the cats could be transported to Hull Veterinary Hospital, said Diana Nolen, who runs the rescue.

Around 36 of the rescue’s cats were accounted for, but eight remain missing, Sieving said.

“We searched every corner of the house, and they weren’t there, so we’re hoping they got out,” Sieving said. “Some of the (STOP) staff were going to stick around the shelter in case they came back.”

Because STOP is a free-range rescue, it took longer for the team to round the pets up, Nolen said. STOP is a safe haven for injured and abandoned cats and a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. In 25 years, Nolen has helped find more than 1,000 needy cats a safe home.

Sieving said firefighters believe the fire started in a storage area in the basement around 6:20 p.m. The official cause is still under investigation, but is not believed to be suspicious, he said.

Nolen said she thought it smelled electrical.

“When the fire started, they (the cats) all ran down to the basement, which was so stupid,” Nolen said.

It didn’t take long for firefighters to douse the flames, but the resulting smoke was a danger in itself, Sieving said. Firefighters were on the scene for two hours trying to filter out the smoke and rescue cats, he said.

No firefighters were injured, he said.

“I brought in a few extra trucks so I could rotate my guys, because it’s so cold,” Sieving said.

Tom Tingley was among those who just showed up at the rescue to lend a hand, bringing a brother along. He said his wife, Laurie, saw the fire trucks and called him immediately, pleading “we have to help those cats.”

“It’s terrible,” Tingley said. “In weather like this, you can’t leave these animals out in the cold.”

Despite the many thanks from Nolen and staff for the kindness of a stranger, Tingley stressed they are no heroes.

“We’re nothing; we’re just people,” Tingley said.

All of the cats are receiving a well-being check at the veterinary office, so monetary donations are needed to cover the cost of bills, Nolen said. They also are looking for another place to temporarily set up shop, she said — all of their materials are ruined, the wiring is melted and the ceiling is caving in, she said.

People can mail donations to STOP at 1152 Lexington Ave. or call 419-774-9938.

All STOP spay and neutering surgeries are canceled for today, Nolen said.